Proper way to lift suspension?

So i didnt want to label this thread "Bilstein 5100 question" because I know most would just disregard with all the others that have the title. But i do have question about them.

I recently purchased an AAL kit from toytec which is said to raise the rear of the truck 1.5 to 2 inches. Once this is installed I know Im going to want to level the truck. I like the "rake" look on sports cars, but not trucks. In fact i like the "reverse rake" look on pickups (front higher than rear).

Now I've searched through what seems like hundreds of Bilstein 5100 threads and what is strange to me is that no one seems to find anything wrong with raising their truck with just a different set of shocks/struts. I've always been certain that to raise or lower a vehicle, you do it with the springs. The springs are what carry the weight of the vehicle and thus should be the part that is changed to have a proper suspension setup.

Am I wrong? What are the disadvantages of simply using shocks to raise my front end? Less suspension travel? Harsher ride? If I did get the bilsteins, I would set them to the 1.75" setting.

You can change several things. The bilstien shocks have a moveable spring perch that preloads the spring more than the stock shocks. Ride gets stiffer as you go higher. You can also get longer springs or spring spacers.

as Mark said above ^^, the billys have a moveable spring perch - they move the springs higher on the shock. The ride is very similar to stock, with the amount of travel available the same as stock. An OME/Toyotec, or similar setup will give you a lift with more wheel travel, so it's a better setup IMO. - However, I have been running just the Billys on all 4 corners for about a month now, and I'm happy with it - I'm not a huge off-roader, but I wanted to level the truck out.

I did the 5100s with the Eibach 1.6 springs set at .85 with a 2" AAL on my 09 2wheel drive.
Worked great but I had to chase a drive line vibration with wedges and carrier bearing shims. It also had a castor problem and would most likely need adjustable upper control arms to keep it from being a bit wandering on the hiway.

Used an OME kit and a 1 1/2" AAL on my 10 4X4 and really like it. 885 prings but may have to go to 886s soon with the bumper and skids I am adding.
Bilstien sits a bit higher but I do not have any driveline vibrations in the 10

Overall The OME is what I would do again.
Does not sit as high but works great without all the slightly higher problems I had with the 09

Which OME springs would you guys say I should go with? 883, 884, or 885? I dont want too much lift. I'm afraid the 883 wouldnt be enough. Maybe because of the slight extra weight of the Double cab? But I think the 885s would be too much. I'm only doing the 1.5 or 2" AAL which is being added to the OEM 3 leaf pack.